The Mahindra ROXOR is a Modern Off-Roader with Vintage Style

(Image/Mahindra)

You’d be hard-pressed to find a vehicle that garners more affection than an old Jeep CJ.

Whether it’s bouncing down a dusty trail or ambling along in a parade, everyone just seems to love the iconic off-roader.

So we were positively giddy when we saw the Mahindra ROXOR—a new off-road vehicle with gobs of retro CJ styling cues.

Before we go further, let’s make this clear: the ROXOR is not street legal.

(Cue the sad trombone music.)

Designed for the off-road powersports crowd, the ROXOR is essentially a side-by-side that grew up watching The Rat Patrol.

In fact, the folks at Jalopnik have discovered that the ROXOR shares similar architecture with the beloved Jeep “Flatty” CJ-2A and C-3A/B—and that’s not a bad thing.

Its compact size and utilitarian ethos might be just the thing for farms, field work, and camping.

Press photos show the ROXOR can be kitted-out with a winch, off-road wheels, a light bar, and other off-road essentials.

Things get even more interesting when you open the ROXOR’s hood. Instead of a “Go Devil” or “Hurricane,” you get a 2.5L turbodiesel engine that cranks out 62 horsepower—which will get the ROXOR up to its 45-mph maximum speed.

It’s got a traditional manual transfer case and five-speed manual gearbox. A box-steel frame, a pair of straight axles, and modern disc brakes will make it a competent trail trekker.

Based in India, Mahindra is not new to the off-road game, and actually produced CJ-style vehicles under license from Willys in the years immediately following WWII. Most folks will recognize the Mahinda name thanks to its international presence in agriculture and industrial markets, making stuff like tractors and construction equipment.

Will the ROXOR become as loved as the off-roader that inspired it? We’ll have to wait and see.

At any rate, it’s nice to have a retro player in the ATV/UTV game.

Mahindra‘s got a bunch of more photos, plus more detailed specs at its dedicated ROXOR website.

This is the special ROXOR LE edition, with pre-installed winch, light bar, soft top, and other off-road essentials. (Image/Mahindra)

(Image/Mahindra)

(Image/Mahindra)